Well our group had a hunt planned on the North Slope last year that was cancelled at the last minute, so we ended up throwing together a Kodiak hunt and had a fantastic trip. Now I am looking at putting together a trip back in 2017 or 2018 for caribou. My buddy that lives in Wasilla pretty much set everything up on the last trip and we booked with a transporter he had used in the past and were going to follow the same trip plan they did before. I am doing all the planning/booking this time, so pressures on me! Most of our schedules work best for early September, but last week-ish of August is not out of the question.
Part of the problem we ran into last year was weather, and through research I have found that several air services do not operate past August 30th on the north slope for that reason. With units 26b/c and 25a/b being the only units that still have a two or more bull bag limit for non residents, and our most likely time frame possibly not allowing us to access 26b/c, it is looking like a one bull hunt is more likely in our future. Also the closure of 23 to non residents is putting a kink in things, because a float hunt out of Kotz was high on the list before that happened. That would have allowed my buddy from Wasilla to hunt moose also.
So it is looking like a 26a hunt with Brooks Range Aviation or a hunt in the 40 mile area with either 40 mile air or Tok air. Price is pretty comparable for either. The hunt with BRA will be in a beaver instead of a cub. So a more comfy camp on that hunt for sure, but we are all comfortable hunting out of a lightweight camp set up. If we are going to be limited to a one bull unit, everybody is going to be a little more picky about what they shoot and we would be looking for trophy bulls if possible. Does one of these hunt areas tend to produce bigger bulls over the other? I may be way over thinking this situation. As much fun as I had in Alaska last time, I'm sure either would really be great.
Part of the problem we ran into last year was weather, and through research I have found that several air services do not operate past August 30th on the north slope for that reason. With units 26b/c and 25a/b being the only units that still have a two or more bull bag limit for non residents, and our most likely time frame possibly not allowing us to access 26b/c, it is looking like a one bull hunt is more likely in our future. Also the closure of 23 to non residents is putting a kink in things, because a float hunt out of Kotz was high on the list before that happened. That would have allowed my buddy from Wasilla to hunt moose also.
So it is looking like a 26a hunt with Brooks Range Aviation or a hunt in the 40 mile area with either 40 mile air or Tok air. Price is pretty comparable for either. The hunt with BRA will be in a beaver instead of a cub. So a more comfy camp on that hunt for sure, but we are all comfortable hunting out of a lightweight camp set up. If we are going to be limited to a one bull unit, everybody is going to be a little more picky about what they shoot and we would be looking for trophy bulls if possible. Does one of these hunt areas tend to produce bigger bulls over the other? I may be way over thinking this situation. As much fun as I had in Alaska last time, I'm sure either would really be great.
